Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains answers to commonly-asked questions we receive from students. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us!

 

Edu-inter is operated all year round in the exceptional facilities of Mérici collegial privé which is located in downtown Quebec City, within walking distance from Old Quebec, the site of most events and landmarks of cultural interest. It is also close to ample green space for outdoor sports and recreation activities.
Our address:
755 Grande Allée Ouest
Quebec City, QC, Canada
G1S 1C1
See the map

For most of the programs (year-round programs), you can start any Monday of the year. For summer and winter camp, please consult our Start Dates section.

Edu-inter offers courses in reduced class settings with an average number of 7 to 9 students (12 during the summer program) per class, in order to give the greatest possible attention to each student.

Edu-inter receives each year an average of 600 students (adults and teenagers) of which 400 come during Quebec summer season.

Edu-inter receives students from over 32 different countries. However, most of our students come from the English part of Canada, United States and Latin America (Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Brasil).

Edu-inter offers 7 levels of French (from complete beginner to advanced). During low season, two levels might occasionally merge into one. In that case, be assured that the teacher is well prepared to give the right instructions and attention to each student, according to their level.

In order to place you in the right level, you will need to take a quick online French test before your arrival to Quebec City. Your level will be confirmed on the first day of classes through an oral interview with a teacher.

Usually, the teacher decides when the student is ready to upgrade his level. In order to change your class level, you must have successfully completed all the objectives of the current level before being promoted to a higher one. Therefore, you will have to pass the evaluation test of the current level. This test is administered in a classroom by a professor to assess if you have reached the current level goals.

Evaluation criteria include language usage, working method and behavior in class. In addition, a student must have attained the language abilities corresponding to the level of studies as well as the expertise in oral communication: oral, comprehension, reading, conversation and written communication, including knowledge of grammar, phonetics and vocabulary.

Our families are selected through a careful screening process. Families must prove criminal clearance and we personally visit the homestay to make the assessment of the place.

You will receive your homestay profile two weeks before your arrival in Quebec city.

Change of host family for a student happens only for unresolvable situations. If a student wishes to change family, he must make a written request and submit it to the accommodation coordinator at Edu-inter. It is up to Edu-inter to accept or reject the student’s request regarding the change. The maximum delay to request a change in host family is 7 days after the student’s arrival, unless a major situation happens during the rest of the stay.

Three days after arrival in the homestay, you will have to fill out a questionnaire to give us your feedback and inform us about your satisfaction and concerns.

Teenagers living in residences have three meals included in the package: breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also get a snack during the evening.

Teenagers living in homestay have three meals included in the package: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Adults living in homestay can chose a 1, 2 or 3 meals formula.

  • 1 meal: Breakfast
  • 2 meals: Breakfast and Dinner
  • 3 meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Extensions are possible. If you wish to extend your stay, please contact the academic director who will guide you through the process. The sooner you notify us your intention of staying, the better it is and the more likely it will be that you can stay in the homestay.

Edu-inter offers a shuttle service from the airport to your residence or homestay. For more information, please visit our Airport Transfer Service section.

You can use public transportation called Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC). It is very easy to use. Please note that the busses 800, 801 and 11 will get you to the old city, the malls and, most importantly, to school!

On the RTC website, you can find directions and bus routes from point A to point B

If you come for less than 6 months, you only need a tourist visa. If you come for over 6 months, you need to get a Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec (CAQ) as well as a Study Permit delivered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Please, see the Visa and CAQ section for more details.

We accept: bank transfers, certified cheques or payment by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). Please note that there is an 3% extra charge for payment by credits cards. We cannot accept personal cheques.

Since the adoption of the new Immigration Regulations on June 1st, 2014, it is no longer possible to work only being enrolled in a language course except for Canadians and students coming from a country where the Work-Holiday Program is offered.

However, to study in an academic program gives you the right to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic semesters, and full-time during holidays as per the school calendar.

Indeed, since the June 1st of 2014 of the Regulations amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, foreign students enrolled in a full-time professional, collegial or university program and holding a study permit are allowed to work off-campus, without having to first obtain a work permit.

Therefore, if you want to work and stay for a long period, we recommend you enroll to a professional program at Mérici collegial privé. See the Academic Programs for Adults section to know more about your possibilities!

Cash and credit cards are the most common methods of payment accepted in Canada. The national currency is the Canadian dollar and you can exchange your money either at the airport, an exchange office or a bank. Traveler’s cheques might be exchanged at money exchange offices or banks.

Canada has four seasons: summer, fall, winter and spring. Weather, especially in Quebec, can be very extreme, from very hot during summer to very cold during winter season. Before coming to Quebec, we recommend you check out the weather forecast websites to know what will be the weather during your stay. Environnement Canada and Canadian Weather are reliable websites to get this kind of information.

Please see our Pre Departure Guides section to know what kind of clothes you should bring to Quebec.

The nearest airport from Edu-inter French School is called Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).